The present invention is directed to a process for the preparation of a tube with an outer diameter in the range of from 10 μm to 250 μm consisting of a composition comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane as well as to a tube with an outer diameter in the range of from 10 μm to 250 μm consisting of a composition comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane obtained or obtainable by the process according to the invention. The invention is further directed to the use of a tube according to the invention as a tube for the transportation of a fluid or as gas membrane tube or as an elastic fiber.

A composite ion conducting tube is made by wrapping a support material or ion conducting sheet to from a tube having overlaps of layers that are bonded. The ion conducting sheet or tape used to make the tube may be very thin and the tube may be formed in situ by wrapping the support material and then coating with ion conducting polymer. The ion conducting tubes may be used in a pervaporation module or desalination system. The ion conducting tubes may be spirally wrapped or longitudinally wrapped and may be very thin having a tube wall thickness of no more than 25 microns.

A separation membrane module that is provided enables a bending load that is applied to a support member that supports ends of tubular separation membranes to be decreased and enables a seal member between the outer circumferential surface of the support member and the inner circumferential surface of a housing to be omitted. The separation membrane module includes a tubular housing 2, tubular separation membranes 3 that are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the housing 2, end tubes 4 that are connected to the lower ends of the tubular separation membranes 3, a support box 5 that supports the end tubes 4, and a backpressure chamber 16 below the support box 5. The tubular separation membranes 3 are in communication with a collection chamber 5v of the support box 5. A permeated fluid is extracted via a nozzle 5n that is disposed on the support box 5. A chamber 11 and the backpressure chamber 16 are in communication with each other via a gap between the outer circumferential surface of the support box 5 and the inner circumferential surface of the housing 2. Pressure in the chamber 11 and pressure in the chamber 16 are substantially the same.

A separation membrane module that is provided enables a bending load that is applied to a support member that supports ends of tubular separation membranes to be decreased and enables a seal member between the outer circumferential surface of the support member and the inner circumferential surface of a housing to be omitted. The separation membrane module includes a tubular housing 2, tubular separation membranes 3 that are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the housing 2, end tubes 4 that are connected to the lower ends of the tubular separation membranes 3, a support box 5 that supports the end tubes 4, and a backpressure chamber 16 below the support box 5. The tubular separation membranes 3 are in communication with a collection chamber 5v of the support box 5. A permeated fluid is extracted via a nozzle 5n that is disposed on the support box 5. A chamber 11 and the backpressure chamber 16 are in communication with each other via a gap between the outer circumferential surface of the support box 5 and the inner circumferential surface of the housing 2. Pressure in the chamber 11 and pressure in the chamber 16 are substantially the same.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to processes for forming functionalized membranes. In an embodiment, a process for forming a functionalized porous membrane is provided. The process includes introducing a porous membrane with an aqueous solution of a hydrophilic agent in a reaction zone, and operating the reaction zone under conditions to form the functionalized porous membrane, the conditions comprising heating the reaction zone to a temperature of about 95° C. or less.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to processes for forming functionalized membranes. In an embodiment, a process for forming a functionalized porous membrane is provided. The process includes introducing a porous membrane with an aqueous solution of a hydrophilic agent in a reaction zone, and operating the reaction zone under conditions to form the functionalized porous membrane, the conditions comprising heating the reaction zone to a temperature of about 95° C. or less.

A monolith-type reactor includes a separation membrane, a first flow path, a second flow path, and a catalyst. The separation membrane is permeable to a product of conversion reaction of a raw material gas containing at least hydrogen and carbon dioxide to a liquid fuel. The raw material gas flows through the first flow path. A sweep gas for sweeping the product that has permeated through the separation membrane flows through the second flow path. The catalyst is disposed in the first flow path and configured to promote the conversion reaction of the raw material gas to the liquid fuel. In a side view of the separation membrane, a direction in which the sweep gas flows through the second flow path is opposite to the direction in which the raw material gas flows through the first flow path.

A monolith-type reactor includes a separation membrane, a first flow path, a second flow path, and a catalyst. The separation membrane is permeable to a product of conversion reaction of a raw material gas containing at least hydrogen and carbon dioxide to a liquid fuel. The raw material gas flows through the first flow path. A sweep gas for sweeping the product that has permeated through the separation membrane flows through the second flow path. The catalyst is disposed in the first flow path and configured to promote the conversion reaction of the raw material gas to the liquid fuel. In a side view of the separation membrane, a direction in which the sweep gas flows through the second flow path is opposite to the direction in which the raw material gas flows through the first flow path.

A permeable membrane tube to separate mixed fluids is provided, including a cyclone generator configured to cause fluid entering the permeable tube to flow in a spiral direction. The cyclonic generator may be a plug positioned at the fluid entrance of the membrane tube. The fluid passes through the permeable membrane tube, which has a center axis along a length of the tube, and flows in the spiral direction thereby separating the fluid into first and second portions, wherein the first portion comprises fluid having a greater density than the second portion and the first portion is directed to an inner surface of the tube.

A permeable membrane tube to separate mixed fluids is provided, including a cyclone generator configured to cause fluid entering the permeable tube to flow in a spiral direction. The cyclonic generator may be a plug positioned at the fluid entrance of the membrane tube. The fluid passes through the permeable membrane tube, which has a center axis along a length of the tube, and flows in the spiral direction thereby separating the fluid into first and second portions, wherein the first portion comprises fluid having a greater density than the second portion and the first portion is directed to an inner surface of the tube.